Copper Deficiency

Copper Deficiency

Dairy cows are most likely to be deficient in winter/early spring, coinciding with higher demands over this period for pregnancy and early lactation. Fast growing calves over six months of age are also likely to be deficient.

Symptoms of copper deficiency

In cows:

Weight loss

Scouring

Reduced milk yields

Reproductive problems

Lightening of coat colour

Anaemia

In calves:

Poor growth rates

Scouring

Bone fractures

Lightening of coat colour

Loss of co-ordination in hind limbs.

Treatment

In general, early lactating dairy cows will not be getting sufficient copper from a pasture diet, therefore supplementation is likely to be beneficial.

Two weeks should elapse after Zn treatment has finished, and animals that have Facial Eczema should not be treated for Cu due to risk of heavy metal poisoning.

Be aware that Cu poisoning can occur as a result of excess intakes of Cu (drenches, licks and eating pasture recently fertilised with Cu additives)